McWilliam’s winery has won Best White Wine at the invitation only Tri Nations Wine Challenge. The contest featured wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The winery won Best White Wine of Show Trophy and Best Other White trophy for its flagship 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon.

For the second time in three years, Phil Ryan, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant chief winemaker, collected the Best White Wine of Show trophy. In taking the trophy, the 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon triumphed against Australian heavyweights such as Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay, Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay and Brokenwood Semillon, as well as all Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and all Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Of the five trophies awarded to Australian wines at the Tri Nations Wine Challenge, 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon received two of them.

Phil Ryan, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant winemaker, attributed this year’s success to a great 2005 vintage: “This wine is a result of a truly great vintage in the Hunter Valley and it’s a wonderful result for all involved.

“Hunter Valley Semillon is a style that’s completely unique to Australia and to see it recognised at an international show is tremendous for both McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant and more broadly, Australian wine.”